Issue - meetings

(a)       That the three key aims of the draft strategy, as outlined in 2.02 of the report, be supported;

(b)       That the views of the Committee on the workstream approach be expressed to Cabinet; and

(c)        That the commitment for further consultations to develop schemes in more detail be noted.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report to seek the Committee’s views on proposals to deliver the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) through the development of a new Asset Management Strategy (AMS), and to share these with Cabinet.  In referring to the housing stock transfer ballot which had registered the highest turnout and ‘No’ vote in Wales, he paid tribute to the previous administration for the manner in which the ballot had been carried out in detailing alternative options within the Choices document.  In line with the Council’s Improvement Priorities, £103m of capital investment in the Council’s housing stock during the seven year plan to reach the WHQS would be delivered by the Council, representing a significant achievement.  To support this, a commitment had been given to the creation of additional jobs together with 20 apprenticeships to deliver this investment.  The Leader stated that these achievements were due to the significant improvements in Housing performance and thanked the Director of Community Services, Head of Housing, Cabinet Member and colleagues in Housing for their contributions.

The Head of Housing explained that whereas the current £49m investment programme focussed mainly on internal elements of work, the report set out options to move forward with different investment streams to achieve the WHQS by 2020.  Once approved by Cabinet, extensive consultation would take place with ward Members over the Spring/Summer of 2014 to discuss the detail of proposed investment plans and timing of various workstreams across the county.  The creation of 200 jobs through engagement of large and small contractors and local people, together with 20 apprenticeships, would provide a range of high quality work experience and training.  Opportunities would also be available for the Council’s trades teams to work on elements of capital works.  The Head of Housing went on to refer to the four main workstreams detailed in the report and sought Members’ views on the options.

The Chairman commended the creation of employment and training opportunities through achievement of the WHQS.

Councillor Paul Shotton spoke in favour of internal work being undertaken on a ‘whole house’ approach to minimise upheaval to the tenant and asked whether all funding streams had been explored.  The Head of Housing explained that in line with the Council’s Improvement Priorities, the Council had been successful in securing energy efficiency funding to supplement the programme.  In addition, changes by Central Government could create opportunities for funding over the next two years to help with non-traditional stock and a successful outcome to the bid submitted to the Wales Vibrant and Viable Places programme could bring extra funds for WHQS plans in those areas.

Following a query from the Chairman on solid wall insulation, it was explained that this would be considered for areas across the Authority according to the different criteria which applied.

On the importance of having a multi-skilled workforce, Councillor Alison Halford commented that some individuals may have more expertise in one area than another and that sufficient numbers of contractors would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44